xj2000

While cleaning valve cover seat, I felt a bump just in front of the driver side corner cylinder head bolt, with a ground cable attached. I drew a line in yellow where I feel the bump. Looks like a bad machining job, machined just a half hair diameter too deep just past the yellow line. Has anyone else ever observed this on their XJ?

I was ready to install a new Felpro Valve Cover Gasket. I'm now wondering the rubber gasket alone may not be able to fill-in the gap I found, and maybe this was the culprit of my oily engine. Should I go buy a high temp RTV so I can apply just a touch but I'm not sure if rubber on the gasket and the RTV are compatable. Can I get other opinions?

Thanks in advance,

jeepfreak82

Never seen that before, if it is not too deep, I would think the gasket could handle it. If you do have to use rtv, try to use as little on it as possible. I would put a vary thin bead and allow it to cure before you put it back together as the rtv does not seal very well on the rubber.

jd4x426

i think that gasket would seal that how deep is it if anything just a small amount of sealer

xj2000

What do you think about applying some JB Weld on the uneven surface, sand it down, then putting on the gasket?

jd4x426

is it a deep scratch or what if you can fill it with jb weld it must be pretty bad

96XJ-240k

I noticed the same thing on my Jeep (96 4.0), however the line runs front to back and is on the front and back of the header.

I just put the cover on so no pic's right now.

jeepfreak82

I like the idea of the JB weld if you let it cure completely... Just dont let any get into the engine while grinding it smooth

xj2000

Opted to just putting back on the valve cover gasket without doing anything to the lip. I ran about 100mi and so far so good.

98 JeepJeep

it will be fine...my 98 has the same casting mark...It cought my eye as a crack at first.....17K on my new VC gasket with zero issue..